At the Ramp

To avoid scrapes and dings to your vehicle, boat, and trailer, ask for assistance when backing down ramps or parking.

When backing a trailer, put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want your trailer to go. Use your mirrors.

At the ramp, a good rule of thumb is to back the trailer into the water until the rear of the support system is in the water. For roller trailers, until the rear roller is in the water. For bunk trailers, a couple feet of the bunk system. This helps with centering as you load.

Pre-Launch

Remove tie-downs

Keep winch line and bow-eye safety chain hook to watercraft.

Drain plugs installed

Fuel line is connected and pressurized

If equipped with incandescent lights, unplug trailer wiring from vehicle.

Outboard or stern drive is raised.

Tie docking lines to the boat

Launch

Always evaluate launch/ramp conditions; not every ramp is the same or safe

In prime conditions, a roller trailer should only need to be backed in as far as the first set of rollers entering the water

In prime conditions, a bunk trailer may need to go in farther, even to the step of the rear fender

When confident that conditions are acceptable for unloading, disconnect the winch strap and bow-eye safety chain.

To protect you in the unlikely event of a breakdown, all ShoreLand’r trailers come with a FREE 90-day BoatU.S. Membership. It features over 26 benefits, including Trailer Assist and Tow and on-the-water towing services.